I got a DUI almost a year ago. Does it count as a “serious misdemeanor” for job applications?

Posted by on . 13 comments.

How do I find out what degree of a misdemeanor it is? I'm from California and it was a first time offense. I'm also under 21. I'm applying for jobs and I know it's a pretty immediate setback to check the box that says I have commited a serious misdemeanor, so I was wondering if I really had to.


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  1. Your Favorite Writer says:
    September 9, 2009 at 2:43 am

    If I am not mistaken, yes….

    By the way, a job will never be upset with you for being honest, but may look elsewhere if you aren’t. I would play it safe and mention it, even if they don’t count that as a *serious* misdemeanor…

  2. Andrew P says:
    September 9, 2009 at 2:43 am

    If the only charge was DUI, and there were no other criminal charges, then no.

  3. Julie H says:
    September 9, 2009 at 2:43 am

    Yes, you better tell them in the interview. If you would have a company car, it would be a really big deal for them to insure you after a DUI. It always pays to be honest whether you get the job or not. They will find out anyway.

  4. James Watkin says:
    September 9, 2009 at 2:43 am

    I would put it on the application. If you leave it out and they find out, they aren’t gonna hire you or might fire you after hiring you. Be honest in life, you get further.

  5. Bill P says:
    September 9, 2009 at 2:43 am

    Why don’t you get your record expunged? You should be able to with that if you have completed all the court’s requirements.

  6. melfred_20 says:
    September 9, 2009 at 2:43 am

    To most people its serious weather its a misdemeanor or not. If it applys to the job and they would find out its better to be honest. Like if you will be driving in this job. Or if they would for some reason check your driving record and possibly a backround check.

  7. fishshogun says:
    September 9, 2009 at 2:43 am

    well the consequence is; they find out and then you have to explain why you didnt put it down.

    ask people that work there if they know if they check

  8. mrphaka says:
    September 9, 2009 at 2:43 am

    should be ok you piss head!

  9. lilbreeze2000 says:
    September 9, 2009 at 2:43 am

    If you was convicted of it, then yes you have to mark it. If you don’t, they can terminate your employment for falisfying information. It should be on your records at the court house, you will probably have to call them to see what degree the offense was. On the application, tell what it was. It’s better to tell what it was, then to let them think it was for theft, a sexual offense, or even a battery charge. Hope this helps.

  10. cyanne2ak says:
    September 9, 2009 at 2:43 am

    Go get a copy of your judgment. It will tell you on the judgment exactly what classification of misdemeanor it is. Yes you do need to list it as a "serious misdemeanor" on job applications.

  11. Barbara E says:
    September 9, 2009 at 2:43 am

    No, do not check that box. That may be as far as they go in looking at the application. It may be considered a serious misdemeanor, but you can view it the way you want. They are not likely to investigate something like that. However, if you will be driving a company car for the job they will look into it. In that case you will have to tell them in the interview but not before.

  12. John S says:
    September 9, 2009 at 2:43 am

    California does not have degrees of misdemeanors, so you need to find out what the term "serious misdemeanor" means to the person asking the question. Of course, a DUI is a serious offense, but where the question is being asked this may have something to do with the maximum sentence (which is 6 months for a first time DUI–maybe a "serious misdemeanor" there is one which carries a year), or whether you were actually sentenced to jail, or any number of other factors. The bottom line is that nobody can answer your question based upon California law, because there is no such concept in California law. Nobody can answer your question based upon the law of your location, because you have not said what it is.

  13. sharon says:
    September 9, 2009 at 2:43 am

    i’m having the same problem for a misdemeanor dui, apparently because I was stupid and 19 and just got my car and started drinking one night I decided to do something stupid, my whole life is ruined, I might have to move out of the country, but I can’t get a job for ONE dui misdemeanor, I am a criminal in the eyes of society, what am I supposed to do?

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